Living in New York City feels different from living anywhere else. Here in New York, you have a specific lifestyle. You’ll develop your own strategy for hopping the right trains from place to place, finding that perfect slice of pizza, and avoiding Midtown at all costs.
New York City demands a lot of us, but it’s all worth it in the end — or, at least, it will be if you can make sure that your NYC lifestyle is also a healthy lifestyle. If your NYC lifestyle is bad for your health, you won’t enjoy the rewarding time here that you deserve. That’s why we’re breaking down the ways in which your big-city lifestyle should make your health a priority.
Eat right (most of the time)
New York has some of the best food on the planet. From the unbelievably diverse array of eateries in Queens to the ritzy high-end steakhouses of Manhattan, there’s always something incredible to eat in New York City. But if you spend all of your time trying to find the best pizza places in the city (Joe’s Pizza and Denino’s Pizzeria are popular choices) and none of your time eating any vegetables, you’re going to get quite literally sick of it.
It’s tough to cook in the big city, but you’ll be rewarded with better health if you take the time to buy whole foods (especially vegetables) and prepare yourself some healthy meals. When you do opt for restaurants or take-out, keep your health in mind and try not to overdo it with the hamburgers and pizza. Good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be healthy.
Care for your mental health
New York City is a busy, stressful place. If you’re not being proactive about your mental health, then you are simply not doing NYC correctly. Your lifestyle needs to include alone time, self-care, and — above all — the help of a trained and licensed mental health professional.
Take the time to schedule an appointment with a therapist, explain the professionals at Therapy Group of NYC. New York is home to some of the best and most qualified therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists on the planet, and these sorts of experts are just the people that you need in order to care for your mental health in this chaotic and stressful city.
With therapy, you’ll gain powerful strategies for keeping your thinking positive and your spirits up. You’ll get better at problem-solving and enjoy all of the benefits of better mental health, from better sleep and more energy to better relationships.
Get exercise in the big city
New York City’s crowded streets don’t always look like the best place to exercise. But, actually, this city is a great, big outdoor gym.
The fact that New York City is so walkable makes it a great place to get easy exercise — just skip the cab ride or the subway ride (or get out a little bit early) and walk. And, New York is also full of great parks that you can hike or jog in. Even urban hiking on the streets is an option — just pick times and places where you can expect to avoid huge crowds that might keep you from moving as quickly and consistently as you want to.
And then there are the many, many gyms and athletic clubs in NYC, including lots of specialty ones. You can find your passion for everything from rock climbing to racquetball here, and combining your love of a game or a hobby with exercise is a great way to make sure that you stick to your habits and reach your goals.
Featured Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay